Electroplating apparatus.



(No Model.)

' Patented 0st. 24, I899. R. E. GUODRICH.

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed May 17, 1899.)

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RANSOM ELMER G'OODRIOEOF-NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,380, dated 0ct0ber24, 1899.

, Application filed May 17, 1899.

which articles may b. plated in a thoroughv and economical manner, being especially applicable forthe plating of small articles in bulk.

The-apparatus consists of the usual 'solurtion-tank. and anodes, a receptacle for holdin g. work, which is. mounted in the tank, and a rod, hereinafter called the".cathode-rod,

attached to the negative pole of a source of electricity and mounted in the tank independently of the receptacle. I .The apparatus is fully illustrated drawings, in which-- Y Figure Us a side view of one form oi the device with one side of the tank removed.

in the Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the plane an a: of

Fig. 1 looking to the right. Fig. 3 isa view showing one method of supporting the oath-' ode-rod. Fig. 4 is an end view of the receptacle. Fig. 5 is a View of the bearing-box.

Referring to the drawings, A denotes afsolutionetank, 1 the rod supporting the anodes, and 2 the anodes, connected to the positive pole of a source of electricity B, the n nconductive receptacle for holding the work being of cylindrical shape in the form shown and made of open-work, so that the solution may flow through it readily, but the articles held by it may not fall out.

C denotes a short shaft fastened to one end of the receptacle, as at b,.and journaled in the box '0, having at its free end a pulley G,

by means of which the receptacle is driven by a belt from a power-shaft. In one end of the receptacle is the door 12", through which the articles to be plated may be inserted and removed and the cathode rod placed in position.

As shown in the drawings, the receptacle is supported at one endby the shaft C, which isjournaled in the bearing-box c, and at the opposite end it is supported by the rolls 1) b. Itis obvious that the receptacle may-be sup Serial No. 717,132. (No model) ported at both ends on rolls or in any similar manner without departing from the spirit two parts of the box being held togetherby the thumb-nut cl. I

.1) denotes a rod, which will be referred to hereinafteras the cathode-rod, held inpo-' sition by the clamp This clamp d isofi he same construction as the bearing-box c, withthe. exception that it is fastened yieldingl5 to the tank, as by means of the hinge d, to allow the rod a limited movement. D extends into the receptacle, as shown, and has depending from it at frequent intervals the conducting-wires d, which are of'such length that they come in contact with some of the articles in the receptacle, which are thereby charged .and in turn charge the whole mass. In this way the circuit is completed, the cur-rent passing from the anodes through out to the source of electricity.

In the operation of my apparatus, instead of handling each piece preparatory to the plating operation, I place the articles into the receptacle in bulk and put the receptacle in position in the tank with one end resting on the rolls 1) b". The cathode-rod is then placed in position in the receptacle and held in place in the clamp d, the conducting-wires d being in contact with the articles in the receptacle. By the pulley G, connected to a suitable source of power, the receptacleis rotated, causing the articles to rub against one another and polish themselves, so that they are ready for the market Without further finishing.

The emptying and filling of the receptacle is accomplished in a most convenient manner, as shown, it being entirely removable from the tank.

I claim as my invention- 1. Inan electroplating apparatus, a tan and anodes, a receptacle, means within the This rod the solution to the articles inthe receptacle,

;through the WiI'GSd -tO the cathode-rod, and I tank for supporting and revolving the receptacle, a cathode-conductor arranged in the receptacle,,a nd means, independent of the receptacle or its support, forholding the cathode-conductor in operative-relation to the receptacl.

2. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank and anodes, a work-holding receptacle, a cath ode-conductor arranged in the receptacle, means, independent of the receptac'leor its support, for holding said cathode-conductor in operative relation to the receptacle, and.

means for moving the receptacle or the cathode-conductor with relation to the other.

3. In anapparatus of the'kind described, a tank and anodes, a rotatable work-holdin g receptacle, a cathode-con'd uctor arranged in the receptacle, and means, independent of the receptacle or its support, for' holding the oath;

e-conduetor in operative relation to the receptacle'. I

. -'4. ,In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination with the tank and anodes, of

a receptacle, and means for supporting it, a

thereto by means independent of the recep tacle or its support, and means for moving the receptacle relatively to the'conductor.

6. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank and anodes, a receptacle supported on rollers in the tank, a cathode-conductor arranged therein, and means, independent of the receptacle or itssupport, for holding the conductor in operative relation to the receptacle.

7 In an electroplatingapparatus, the combination with a tank, anodes, and-a receptacle located in the tank, of a cathode-conductor arranged in the receptacle, means independent of the receptacle or its support, for yieldingly holding the conductor in operative relation to the receptacle, and means for moving the receptacle relatively to the conductor.

8. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank,

a receptacle located therein, means for revolving the receptacle, and a cathode-bar, having conducting-wires depending therefrom, held independent to the receptacle or its support and in operative relation therewith.

9. In an electroplating]apparatus,a tank and anodes, a cathode-conductor having loops of conducting-wire depending therefrom and means for securing the cathode-conductor yieldingly on the tank, substantially as do scribed. T I

.10. In an electroplating apparatusa tank, anodes, a work-holding receptacle, a cathode conductor-Sand means for supporting it yield-' ingly in operative relation-to the receptacle, said m'eans comprising a clamp, made up of two parts hinged together atone edge and having a fastening means at the opposite edge, and secured to the tank, as by means of a hinge, to allow of a limited movement.

R. ELMER GOODRIOH.

Witnesses:

G. P. CO'OLEY, H. E. HART. 

